Few social policy initiatives have attracted such widespread support as the 1997 Labour government early years Sure Start programme. Given its origins in the 1998 Cross Spending Review, which highlighted the diverse challenges for children growing up in poverty, it might well be thought of as a ‘child of the Treasury’. Although funding was slashed by the subsequent Tory government, its empirical characteristics (rolled out on the basis of good evidence and tracked since 2000 by several major evaluations including central government) ensure there is ongoing robust debate about its achievements and significance. This seminar offers an important opportunity to participate in the debate.

Dr Carl Purcell (King's College London) will set out a 'recent policy context' for the start of the Sure Start saga and Naomi Eisenstadt CB, original Director of the Sure Start Unit, will pick up the story from 2000 – including the lessons that can be learned so far, and including the fact that Sure Start cannot be easily consigned to history.

The event will be chaired by Jane Tunstill.

Booking

Booking (essential) is now open for this hybrid event, which takes place on 30 June 2025, 14:00 to 16:00 (UK). Please click on the appropriate link below to book to attend, either in person or online. All welcome!

Book to attend IN PERSON: Virginia Woolf Building, King's College London, 22 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6LE. Names will be held by Security at the entrance of the building. Find the Virginia Woolf Building (nearest tube: Holborn).

Book to attend ONLINE: The meeting will be on MS Teams. If you register we will send out a Teams link.

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